How I compartment feed

[John Miller]

Pretty rough weather predicted for some of us. I wrote below last week...if it helps those who want to try feeding inside compartments or gourds.

I suppose in most home colonies, flinging into the air is more feasible than it is for me at scattered park sites. I have the challenge not only of multiple locations, but the martins are not used to me standing there. So..

How I compartment feed, and not absolutes...always evaluating:

When it's very cold or snows in northern parts of their range, they hole up in units and can survive for several days this way.

I keep most of my compartments or gourds plugged early to force early arrivals to just a few favored cavities where I can place crickets or mealworms. First day, just put four or five as may scare them. They don't always eat this way, but most of the time even the most dense martin will if it has to walk through them. May need to clear the floor of nest material a little in compartments..in gourds I try to put on inside porch. Have experimented with laying a small piece of roof shingle in gourd nest bowls on which to place crickets. don't like to introduce something new like a saucer that might spook them.

DON'T flush out when it's raining or snowing as getting wet in cold temps may be very dangerous for them, and maybe wait until afternoon if they are holed up on a cold day or even skip a day.

I've observed over the years that they survive dry cool periods much better than wet cool ones, and suspect getting wet when they are not as active and preening may lead to hypothermia.
John M

[Louise Chambers]

Thanks, John, for emphasizing this feeding method. Worked well for us when we had an early arrival along with very cold weather.

[Terry]

It does work John, That's how iv'e been feeding the female.
I started just putting them on the floor inside the entrance.
Then the BB's found them and wouldn't let her in the gourd!
So i hung a round hole plug inside the access cap, and in one compartment of the N-Star. Has not bothered her at all.
The benifit of this method is not making her fly. So she can conserve energy and it's good for me not having to freeze trying.
I have flipped them in the past to get them started. But i had more here and it was easier to get one to start. The other's would soon follow.
I haven't had to flip in year's as most know where the platform feeder is and readily go to it when needed. I put Mealworm's, egg's and eggshell's
out for them, and i only feed them when i know they need help.

I'm still not sure if she belong's here, but she might just stay now.

She is out flying as i type this and looks very good. I believe as long as they can eat, they can deal with the cold better than some might think.

If she get's through another week, and i believe she will. She has a very good chance of surviving this extended cold spell.

[Louise Chambers]

Terry,

You are doing a great job of helping her make it - thanks for sharing how you are doing that, I hope it helps other landlords help other martins.